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Tampa Bay Buccaneers SS Mark Barron played well early last season, and then hit a wall around Week 12. He struggled in coverage, and played a bit out of position at times. However, with CB Ronde Barber retired, and the team adding FS Dashon Goldson in the offseason, Barron should have a bigger impact in 2013 playing down in the box on run support, which is viewed as his strength.

Free-agent FS Ronde Barber (Buccaneers) said he still not ready to make a decision on his future and will take his time before deciding. He said the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signing SS Dashon Goldson will not have any effect on his decision.

Free-agent FS Ronde Barber (Buccaneers) likely would have a big role on defense if he re-signs with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Barber probably would be used in the slot or near the line of scrimmage in passing situations.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are expected to meet with impending free-agent FS Ronde Barber this week to determine if Barber wants to sign another one-year contract or retire. Barber may have to agree to a smaller role on defense if he wants to return.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and veteran S Ronde Barber are likely to meet soon to figure out the direction both parties would like to go in 2013. Barber could opt to retire or play his 17th season. If Barber would like to return, the team still feels he has plenty of value in leadership, skill and exemplary work ethic. However, at 38 years old, there is some fear he may be hitting the wall soon and the team selected Mark Barron in the first-round last year to play the role of the attacking safety working inside the tackle box. Should Barber be willing to accept a lesser role, it's like that he would return to the Buccaneers once again. If not, he may be willing to look to play for another team or, as noted, opt for retirement.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers S Ronde Barber has not made a decision about retirement yet, and it won't be made for some time. "I won't even entertain those notions yet," Barber said. "That's for me to do in the offseason. Week 16 of the season is no (time for a) retrospective for me."

Tampa Bay Buccaneers FS Ronde Barber could move back to cornerback to help improve the team's pass defense. Their rush defense is ranked first overall, giving up just 81.5 yards per game. However, they rank last in pass defense, giving up 315.5 yards per game. The team recently traded CB Aqib Talib to the New England Patriots, and CB Eric Wright is suspended, perhaps forcing Barber to make the switch. "I'm sure I could step back in there," Barber said. "I've paid attention to what they're doing over there."

Tampa Bay Buccaneers CB Ronde Barber, who is transitioning to play safety, is learning from rookie SS Mark Barron the different parts of playing the position. "There are definitely some things that I learn about the position from him," Barber said of the Buccaneers first-round pick Friday, Aug. 3.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers FS Ronde Barber, who was moved from cornerback to free safety in the offseason, could slide to nickelback and lineup with slot receivers on passing downs. If that happens, FS Cody Grimm would take his place at free safety in those situations.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers likely will not consider moving FS Ronde Barber to cornerback even though CBs Eric Wright and Aqib Talib have had off-field issues. The team will evaluate the other cornerbacks on the roster before considering the possibility of moving Barber back to cornerback.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Mark Dominik said in an interview that the team may still move CB Ronde Barber to safety. "If we need to make a move to pull (Barber) back from safety to corner, we can do that in a heartbeat," Dominik said when asked about the possibility of losing CB Aqib Talib following his trial on assault charges in June.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers CB Ronde Barber said Friday, April 13, that the team "probably will" select Louisiana State CB Morris Claiborne with the No. 5 overall pick in the NFL Draft. "I haven't watched any film of him. I don't know how he plays or anything," Barber said. "He was actually in our (secondary) room. They did those little unofficial visits or whatever. He's a good kid. He looks good. He looks the part. Everybody's high on him."

Tampa Bay Buccaneers CB Ronde Barber will make $3 million in base salary in 2012 and he'll count $3 million against the team's salary cap. Barber didn't receive a signing bonus and there are no incentives in his deal.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers CB Ronde Barber may have to compete for one of the starting cornerback jobs during training camp. The team has not ruled out the possibility of playing Barber at safety this season.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Mark Dominik and head coach Greg Schiano met with impending free-agent CB Ronde Barber Friday, March 9, and told him they would like him back next season. Barber told Dominik and Schiano that he is not ready to make a decision about his future at this point.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers CB Ronde Barber (forearm) is nearly healed after sustaining a fractured forearm in Week 17. However, he has yet to decide if he wants to continue his career, although he appears interested to see if the team has any interest in bringing him back.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers CB Ronde Barber said he has not decided whether or not he will return to play next season or retire this offseason. If he does return next season, it will be under a one-year contract.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers CB Ronde Barber (arm) will need surgery to fix a broken right arm that he suffered in Week 17. Barber's brother, Tiki Barber, said he will undergo surgery Friday, Jan. 6, to repair the fracture. Ronde Barber is still undecided if he will retire this offseason.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers CB Ronde Barber (arm) was in and out of the Week 17 game against the Atlanta Falcons due to an arm injury. It's uncertain if this was Barber's last game, as no decision has been made if he'll return to the team in 2012.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers CB Ronde Barber hinted that he may decide to retire if the team fires head coach Raheem Morris in the offseason. "I would be lying if I didn't say that," Barber said when asked if his future was linked to Morris'. "That's somewhat true. But we'll see. Ideally, I'd love to be back and play with (Morris), and (secondary coach) Jimmy (Lake) and (linebackers coach) Joe Baker."

Tampa Bay Buccaneers CB Ronde Barber said he does not think that the team should release CB Aqib Talib even though he has gotten into trouble off the field. Barber said he can't excuse Talib's off-field behavior but said that Talib makes the team's defense more formidable.